Academics

The IB at UCC

I can tell you, as a University of Toronto professor, that the kids who come out of the IB Programme, whether at UCC or elsewhere, are very prepared for university. There is no doubt about that. You can tell if they’ve come through the IB Programme.
— Louis Pauly, University of Toronto

UCC’s three IB Programmes

UCC has offered the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP), considered the gold standard in university preparation, for more than 20 years with its focus on inquiry-based learning.

In September 2024, UCC announced the introduced of two additional graduation pathways that complement the IB DP. Read more about UCC's Graduation Pathways here.

The IB Continuum at UCC

Research shows that IB graduates are confident, well-prepared for postsecondary studies and have better retention rates at university, compared with their non-IB counterparts.

The internationally respected IB Programmes offer a continuum of learning from Senior Kindergarten through Year 12 with a focus on the growth of the whole student — on academic and personal achievements. IB students love learning and are motivated to succeed, and the benefits begin early.

The IB framework at UCC supports a continuum of education oriented around the following:

A focus on students and their development, with a program for every age and stage of their development
Teaching boys how to learn; the intentional teaching of learning skills such as study skills, self-management and organization
A commitment to teaching best practice from SK to Year 12.

In addition, IB Programmes do the following:

Encourage students to think critically and challenge assumptions
Use complex, real-life examples to teach knowledge and skills
Focus on understanding, not just remembering facts
Teach students to drive their own learning
Encourage students to consider both local and global contexts
Develop well-rounded students who can collaborate effectively and act ethically.

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

IB Learner Profile

From Senior Kindergarten and up, IB Programmes inspire students to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. These 10 qualities, which comprise the “IB Learner Profile,” are embodied in UCC’s core values, as outlined in our Strategic Directions, of Learning, Pluralism, Service, Community and Wellbeing.
History of the IB at UCC

The International Baccalaureate Organization authorized UCC to provide the Diploma Programme in 1995. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) was authorized in 2004 and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) was authorized in 2020. UCC is the first boys’ school in North America to be an IB Continuum World School.